Kenyan John Korir triumphed in the 2024 Boston Marathon, overcoming a fall near the starting line to clock an impressive finish time of 2:04:45, while his compatriot Sharon Lokedi edged out Hellen Obiri in a thrilling women’s race, breaking the course record in the process.
John Korir’s Resilient Victory
Korir’s victory was made all the more remarkable by the fact that he stumbled early on in the race, appearing to lose his bib in the process. Despite this setback, Korir recovered quickly and set a strong pace, gradually pulling away from the rest of the field. By the 20-mile mark, he had built a one-minute cushion between himself and the closest competitors, with Tanzanian Alphonce Simbu and Kenyan Cybrian Kotut both chasing him down in the final stretch.
Korir kept his cool and jogged through the finish line, securing the second-fastest time in Boston Marathon history, just behind the course record. In doing so, he became part of an exclusive family achievement, joining his older brother, Wesley Korir, as the only sibling duo to win the prestigious marathon. The victory was made even more special as Wesley, the 2012 Boston Marathon winner, was there to greet his brother with a warm hug at the finish line.
Crash at the start, first to break the tape
‘s John Korir dominates the @bostonmarathon with 2:04:45
That’s the 3rd fastest time ever in Boston pic.twitter.com/HqkMXlaoeg
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) April 21, 2025
The win marks a significant achievement for John Korir, adding to his impressive 2024 Chicago Marathon victory and further establishing him as one of Kenya’s leading marathoners.
Sharon Lokedi’s Historic Course Record
In the women’s race, Sharon Lokedi made history with a stunning performance that saw her claim the victory and set a new Boston Marathon course record. After finishing as the runner-up in 2023, Lokedi came back with a vengeance, ready to deny Hellen Obiri her third consecutive Boston title.
The race was tightly contested, with both Lokedi and Obiri pulling away from the rest of the field in the final miles. With less than two miles to go, Obiri, the 2022 New York Marathon winner, began to slow, and Lokedi seized the opportunity. Lokedi surged ahead, crossing the finish line in 2:17:22, two minutes and 37 seconds faster than the previous course record set by Buzunesh Deba in 2014.
COURSE RECORD
’s Sharon Lokedi holds off Hellen Obiri and storms to 2:17:22 at the @bostonmarathon
That’s more than 2️⃣ minutes faster than the course record set in 2014 pic.twitter.com/8ordm7pKYx
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) April 21, 2025
While Obiri gave a valiant effort, she finished 19 seconds slower than Lokedi, securing second place with a time of 2:17:41. Ethiopian Yalemzerf Yehualaw completed the podium in third with a time of 2:18:06.
Lokedi, who had feared she may have gone out too quickly as the course’s notorious hills approached, found an extra burst of energy when it mattered most. She attributed her victory to a strong finishing surge, saying, “I just wanted to do my best and just fight to the end.”
Noteworthy Mentions: Marathon Milestones and Wheelchair Races
The 129th running of the Boston Marathon was also a momentous occasion as it marked the 50th anniversary of the first wheelchair winner at the event. Bob Hall, who won the race in 1974, paved the way for athletes in the wheelchair division. To honor his legacy, Swiss wheelchair athlete Marcel Hug won his eighth Boston title in the men’s wheelchair race, finishing in 1:21:34.
Hug, a leader in the sport, took a moment to pay tribute to Hall after his victory, saying, “He is a real pioneer for our sport – he opened the door for us. We are so grateful, thankful, that he had the courage to come here and do the Boston Marathon 50 years ago.”
In the women’s wheelchair race, American Susannah Scaroni claimed victory with a time of 1:35:20, a year after she was forced to miss the event due to injury. Scaroni’s victory was a testament to her determination and resilience in overcoming the challenges that had kept her from competing the previous year.
The Boston Marathon: A Showcase of Global Talent
The Boston Marathon is one of the most prestigious races in the world, drawing top athletes from across the globe each year. This year’s event showcased the incredible depth of talent, from the remarkable performances by Korir and Lokedi to the unforgettable displays by wheelchair athletes.
For John Korir, this victory represents another important step in his marathon career, as he looks to continue dominating in major marathons worldwide. Similarly, Sharon Lokedi’s triumph marks her arrival as one of the sport’s top women marathoners, with her course-record-breaking performance cementing her place among the marathon elite.
The event also highlighted the continued excellence in wheelchair racing, with athletes like Marcel Hug and Susannah Scaroni pushing boundaries and inspiring others in their pursuit of greatness.
As the Boston Marathon continues to serve as a proving ground for the world’s best distance runners, the performances of athletes like Korir and Lokedi reaffirm the growing importance of this race in the world of international marathons.
Key Stats and Highlights:
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John Korir wins the men’s race in 2:04:45, overcoming an early fall to claim victory.
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Sharon Lokedi sets a new course record for women with a time of 2:17:22, defeating Hellen Obiri.
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Tanzanian Alphonce Simbu finishes second in the men’s race with 2:05:04.
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Ethiopian Yalemzerf Yehualaw takes third in the women’s race with 2:18:06.
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Marcel Hug wins his eighth Boston Marathon wheelchair title with a time of 1:21:34.
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Susannah Scaroni claims the women’s wheelchair race in 1:35:20 after missing the event last year.
This year’s marathon was another thrilling chapter in the history of the Boston Marathon, with unforgettable performances and significant milestones for both able-bodied and wheelchair athletes.
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